A Time for Every Purpose under Heaven



Before the worlds began, God had a perfect plan for your life, a time for every purpose under Heaven...

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

In reflecting upon the experiences of the past week that I wrote about in my blog post When Life Tests your Life Verse which you can read about HERE, I feel as though I've experienced almost every matter under Heaven described in the above verses from Ecclesiastes. I realize that isn't a typical occurrence, and in my case, although the quantity of experiences and emotions was great, the duration was thankfully fleeting in the grand scheme of things.

A Time to Look Closely


Let's now consider the woman who had the disabling spirit for 18 years...

 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.  And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could 
not fully straighten herself.  When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, 
“Woman, you are freed from your disability.”  And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 
Luke 13:10-13

You see at the right time, God's perfect time, He freed her from her disability, not a moment before and not a moment too late.  One might say, but 18 years Karen??  That's a very long time!  And I'm sure we all can share something we've been going through for years and years that we have not yet been freed from.   If I'm being honest, I have grown weary of several health issues that I have been dealing with for many years.  But God's Grace...

God's grace helps us to endure.  And if we look closely, we can see that even in the season of trial, there are always times of refreshing...

Healing in another area of our lives as a result of being sick...

While we are being broken down, the Lord is building up our faith...

In the midst of a season of weeping, we manage to laugh...

While in mourning, our hearts find the courage to dance to honor the memory of that which we mourn...

And I'm sure you could add to this list of ways that the Lord has ministered to you while you've walked a difficult road.

A Time to Learn


But I know it isn't easy, and frankly, can be downright difficult to have an eternal perspective, especially when you are in the thick of it. We are so consumed in the moment and basically in survival mode, that our hope may be dampened.

It's interesting, last week when I was in the thick of the health crisis with my husband, I was in survival mode, but I felt God's grace in profound ways.  I felt strong even though I was weak.  I stayed fairly upbeat, even though I was beaten down.

Yet now that the crisis is over and I am no longer in survival mode, I feel weak and irritable.  I'm not implying that God's Grace has left me, but I'm wondering if I am trying to do things in my own strength again because I am not in survival mode.  I wrote more about this in my post, You're in God's Life-Saving Care which you can read here.

Growing up in the 60s, I was first exposed to the verses in Ecclesiastes through the song by the Byrds, Turn! Turn! Turn!  I find words to music to be a great tool for memorization.

What if, and I am being serious here, when you are experiencing a particular season under Heaven, you were to sing this song to yourself, allowing the hope-filled words to permeate your situation and fill you with hope.  

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late!
Pete Seeger

Time is fleeting and this too shall pass.  What you are worried about this week, this month or this year, won't be a problem next week, next month or next year.

And as you calm yourself in His Great Hope during a difficult season, ask yourself, What about God am I learning?  What about myself am I learning?  What about obedience am I learning?  What about my Faith am I learning?

We can rest in the fact that the Lord WILL set us free either in this life or through going on to the next, but He WILL INDEED SET US FREE!

 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10-11

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

                          For additional thoughts on the life we have been given here on earth,                                    please click on the following titles:





God is the Eternal Timekeeper, and our times are in His hands for His redemption and good purposes.  Indeed, a time for every purpose under Heaven...


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Comments

  1. "God is the Eternal Timekeeper, and our times are in His hands for His redemption and good purposes." Such truth! And even when things are hard we know His timing is best. I pray that we will continue to trust and look to Him for strength, even when things are easy. Because, even then, we still need His strength and guidance.

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  2. I can relate to your post, God's grace & strength is new every morning but we seem to have a lot more at other times...
    It's in the lesser times that we cling to Him ;-)
    You're most welcome to drop by for a cuppa,
    Jennifer

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jennifer, Thank so much for sharing in the conversation. I appreciate it! :-)

      I took you up on your offer and visited you this week. :-)

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  3. I am writing a blog about this woman who was sick for 18 years (in Dutch) Thank you for your honest, valuable blog. It is the first time I am here. But it was good to read.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Aritha, Oh wow! I love how the Lord knits His people together. The body of Believers are truly kindred. <3

      Thanks for your kind words. I'm so glad you stopped by.

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  4. I'm so sorry that your husband was unwell, and pray that God continues to provide you peace in the midst of your storm.

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    1. Hi Anita, Thanks so much! Praising God that my husband is pretty much back to normal. Your prayers for peace have been felt. :-)

      Blessings,

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  5. Thank you for sharing this! What a great encouragement this is!! Found your post @worthbeyondrubies link up!! So glad I found it!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Diane, You are welcome!

      Praising God that you found encouragement here.

      I'm glad you found me! ;-)

      Blessings,

      Delete
  6. I wrote about this same Scripture this week! Great minds...! :)

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    Replies
    1. You are the second person to say that you wrote about this same Scripture this week!

      Indeed!

      Thanks so much for stopping by.

      Delete
  7. Trying to remember my hope and faith in times of severe trial is always a test. Sometimes I do great. Others, I fail.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it is true of all of us. But praising God that we have an advocate in Jesus who understands our weaknesses.

      Thank you for commenting so transparently. We are all on this Faith journey together to encourage one another and with the Lord Jesus by our side.

      Blessings,

      Delete
  8. God is the eternal time-keeper. Love that imagery. Holding our days carefully in his hands. Thanks for your post!

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    1. Hi Karen, Thanks so much for visiting. :-)

      You are very welcome!

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  9. I have always love this passage. And the woman having her spirit of infirmity for 18 rs is not insignificant, it just prove it was from the devil.

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  10. What a beautiful reflection on this passage, Karen!

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    1. Hi Ronja, Thank you for your very kind words!

      Blessings,

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  11. I always keep your precious posts in my inbox until I have time to really read them and soak in what the Lord has given you, sweet friend. And, He always makes it clear to me the reason for the exact timing I open them and get to read them. You always minister to me so deeply, and so many times, it is like God is speaking straight to my spirit through your words. Thank you for reminding me that everything we go through is temporary, it too shall pass, and there is a beginning and an end to each trial. Oh, the seasons of life! I know what you mean ~ some days, I feel like I can experience so many "seasons" all in one 24 hour period. But, as you so sweetly pointed out, God is faithful. I am SOOOO thankful the crises you were facing recently are passed, and I trust the Lord to help you through the aftermath. Sometimes the aftermath is as bad or even worse than the storm. The "clean-up" can take quite some time and lots of work and effort. Your recent fiery trials remind me of a song that means SO much to me. I hope it will comfort you, dear friend. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUpPEKlpYzo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cheryl! You are so kind! I find that He does the same thing with me too when I save your blog posts and read them at His perfect timing.

      That is so true. My daughter and I were just saying this evening how it's like we have PTSD from my husband/her dad's hospitalization. The same for my husband. It's left us more fearful and for my husband, that is new territory as he is not too easily shaken by anything.

      I can't thank you enough for sharing that You Tube link! Oh that song just ministered to my anxious soul so much!! It so clearly puts into perspective the storms of life. You have blessed me so much!!!

      Sending you sooo much love and gratitude! May the Lord bless you and your family abundantly!



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  12. And so we wait. His time not ours. So hard sometimes, but in the end, I am amazed at how well things work out. Prayers for your illnesses as you wait. ~hugs~ and what a great scripture reminder as always.

    Peabea from Peabea Scribbles

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    Replies
    1. Hi Pea Bea, Indeed! They do work out well don't they.

      Thank you! My husband is doing well.

      Thanks so much for stopping by.

      Delete
  13. Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no backup. Do you have any methods to stop hackers?
    slot online

    ReplyDelete

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